Is nominalism a common word in everyday English?

No. It is mainly used in philosophy, theology, and academic writing.

What is the difference between nominalism and realism?

Nominalism says general ideas are only names. Realism says they have some real existence.

Can I use nominalism in IELTS writing?

Yes, if your essay is about philosophy or abstract ideas. It is formal and academic.

← Dictionary

nominalism

/ˈnəʊ.mɪ.nə.lɪ.zəm/

IELTSAcademic

noun

In philosophy, nominalism is the idea that general ideas, like “beauty” or “humanity,” are names only. It says these ideas do not exist as real things outside the mind.

Nominalism questions whether universals are real.
Her lecture compared nominalism with realism.
The debate over nominalism is central in philosophy.

Adinary Nuance

Nominalism is close to realism and conceptualism, but it is more specific. Realism says general ideas exist in some real way; nominalism says they are only names or labels. Conceptualism is between them, because it says these ideas exist in the mind, not as separate real things.

In other languages

Vietnamese: thuyết danh xưng
Spanish: nominalismo
Chinese: 唯名论
Japanese: 唯名論
Korean: 유명론

Etymology

Nominalism comes from Medieval Latin nominalis, from Latin nomen, meaning “name.” The word entered English in the Middle Ages, when philosophers argued about names and reality.

Common phrases

medieval nominalismnominalist philosophythe nominalism debate

Synonyms

conceptualism

Frequently asked questions

Is nominalism a common word in everyday English?: No. It is mainly used in philosophy, theology, and academic writing.
What is the difference between nominalism and realism?: Nominalism says general ideas are only names. Realism says they have some real existence.
Can I use nominalism in IELTS writing?: Yes, if your essay is about philosophy or abstract ideas. It is formal and academic.